The latest inspection report into Blaenau Gwent Council’s education department by education watchdog Estyn said officers and school leaders had not been held to account effectively and a ‘lack of competence’ at all levels hampered progress

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A “significant challenge” faces Blaenau Gwent Council as it makes plans to revive its education department after it was again branded unsatisfactory.

The latest inspection report into the council’s department by education watchdog Estyn said officers and school leaders had not been held to account effectively and a “lack of competence” at all levels hampered progress.

Two years ago, the council’s education department was placed into special measures when it was deemed to be failing the borough’s children.

Commissioners from Neath Port Talbot Council were drafted in to work with Blaenau Gwent to drive up standards.

But during its latest review, Estyn inspectors found the council to still be struggling to improve, which Leighton Andrews, Minister for Children, Education and Lifelong Learning, described as “systemic weaknesses” in the department.

The authority has improved in some areas, said the report, including attendance in secondary schools rising to above average and as a result of the work of regional consortiums school improvement service, the authority has more accurate information about school performance and is beginning to tackle under performance.

It is also tackling surplus places, has a wide provision for support services and has established partnerships with neighbouring authorities such as Newport Council, with which it now shares an education chief.

On Monday, Education Minister Leighton Andrews met with Blaenau Gwent’s education commissioner, former headteacher Bethan Guilfoyle, to discuss how to proceed following the “disappointing” report.

James Harris, director of education, said: “All those involved in the delivery of education in Blaenau Gwent Council both centrally and in schools recognise the need for an urgent and significant improvement in performance.

“The council is working closely with the Education Achievement Service (EAS) to support schools so that the attainment and achievement of pupils is maximised.

“Also, best practice from across South East Wales and beyond is being sought and will be used to improve all aspects of education delivery.

“The challenge is significant but there are clear signs that progress is being made and improving educational performance remains as a top priority for the council.”

Council leader Hedley McCarthy added: “The initial response from the council in 2011 suffered from a couple of false starts and as a consequence the pace of change has previously been diluted and has lacked a proper sense of urgency.

“The advent of our partnership with Newport and the increased involvement of the EAS augurs well for the future and there is a clear sense of purpose and drive from councillors to improve attainment and achievement for Blaenau Gwent pupils.

“The council in July 2011 was in a very unstable place politically, and much good work has been done to effect ‘culture change’ among members of the authority.

“Estyn has recognised this in this inspection and has commented on the significant progress made by councillors in the way they scrutinise and challenge officers and in their overall approach and understanding of their critical role in raising standards for learners.

“There is now a far better political foundation in place on which to build sustainable improvement in the service and an eagerness to work in partnership with the education commissioner and with the Welsh Government to overcome the significant challenges that face us.

“We are all too aware that we cannot rest on our laurels and will be unrelenting in our mission to quicken the pace of school improvement, we will not falter in the face of any difficult decisions, however contentious, that we need to take to ensure better educational opportunities for all learners in Blaenau Gwent.”

Until real progress is made however, the education service will remain in special measures and follow up inspections will be fed into the Local Authority Regulatory Calendar while the authority’s progress will be monitored by Estyn’s local authority link inspector.

Blaenau Gwent AM Alun Davies has vowed to do all he can to help speed up this progress.

He said: “The latest results are very disappointing and our children deserve so much better.

“There is no doubt we still have a long way to go and significant changes need to be made within the authority to achieve this.

“The report criticises the lack of accountability of school leaders, council officers and managers.

“That must change and it is imperative that this change is at the forefront of any plans for improvement.

“I have called for a meeting with the minister and council chiefs to discuss this issue and find out how we can proceed.

“I have already spoken to the leadership of Blaenau Gwent and offered my support.

“They are unrelenting in their quest to bring about improvement and I will do all I can to drive home our joint aim.”

Blaenau Gwent MP Nick Smith is also concerned about the education report and believes the education of children in this area is paramount if we are to look forward to a brighter future.

He said: “In 2011, I said that I welcomed intervention by the Welsh Government after our children had been let down.

“Two years later, my position hasn’t changed.

“Investment is being made into this borough to bring top-quality education to our children, but that will take time to bear fruit.

“This report has proved we cannot simply point to that investment and pretend the deep-seated problems are solved.

“We have produced high achievers here, the equal of anywhere in Britain, but we cannot keep sweeping poor performance aside in the bid to celebrate our best.

“Our education system should be giving all pupils the tools to be ready for the real world – and until Blaenau Gwent proves it can do that, the Welsh Government is right to make its presence felt.”

A Welsh Government spokesman said: “The report was very clear that there is not sufficient capacity in Blaenau Gwent to deliver the improvements we want to see at the pace we expect.

“This is a local authority which has failed in terms of education services and illustrates the problem within Wales that small councils are not capable of managing education services and we need to address that.”